Filed under: Emergency Management, Fire and Rescue, Industry News, Police, Public Safety | Tags: 700 MHz Spectrum, Aution 73, Mobile and Wireless Communications, Public Safety
The FCC Auction 73 “D” Block
Most rugged portable professionals are aware of Auction 73, and have some insight to the bidding on the C block, coined to be the Beachfront Property of the 700 MHz spectrum. However, unless you are involved in government services, most people will be unaware of another important block of spectrum up for grabs known as the “D” Block.
This is significant because FCC rules require the winning bidder to establish a public/private partnership nationwide network in the 10 MHz D Block with only a 6 month window to negotiate usage with public safety operators.
“The winner of the spectrum will be required to build-out a nationwide interoperable broadband network that will be available to commercial and public safety users. Additionally, in times of emergency the public safety users would have priority access on the network. The spectrum block has the most aggressive build-out requirements of all the blocks in the auction. Also, the spectrum winner has six months to complete negotiations with public safety operators for terms related to the use of the spectrum. This is a unique partnership use of the spectrum and will produce interesting challenges associated with implementation. Nevertheless, the reserve price of the D-block of spectrum is $1.33 billion.” -www.tmcnet.com 1-14-08
Sounds important and something that should be watched and interpreted closely. The Rugged Notebooks Blog is expecting to publish guest posts from public safety experts, explaining the implications and opportunities for this mobile and wireless sector.
The auction proceeds will be going to Police, Fire and EMS across the country and at all levels of state and local government. Read about some of issues of a national unified communications program at the advocacy website Cyren Call Dot Com.
Rugged notebook users in the public sector should bookmark now, or subscribe to the RSS Feed at the bottom of the blog for near term updates.
Source: tmcnet.com
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